The Faithful Legacy of Motherhood

Introduction:

Good morning, and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers who are with us today!

Today, we celebrate the remarkable impact that mothers have on our lives.

Our moms have have helped shape each of us into who we are today.

Now kids As I was preparing this Sermon I came across a list of things that you will never hear your mom say

Are you ready fo the list?

“How on earth can you see the TV sitting so far back?”

“Just leave all the lights on...it makes the house look more cheery.”

“Let me smell that shirt—Yeah, it’s good for another week.”

“Go ahead and keep that stray dog, honey. I’ll be glad to feed and walk him every day.”

“Your curfew is just a general time to shoot for. It’s not like I’m running a prison around here.”

“I don’t have a tissue with me...just use your sleeve.”

“Don’t bother wearing your coat today—the wind-chill is bound to improve.”

Now moms we are so thankful for the good advice you have given us.

But even with all the advice you have given us, you impact us so much more. In fact, I would say that you have the ability to influence your children more than anyone else int he World.

And this is why its important for you to be an example of a Godly women,

In the Bible, we read about many examples of godly mothers in the Bible. One of those mothers is mentioned in the book of 2 Timothy, the mother of a young man named Timothy.

Turn with Me in your Bibles to 2 Timothy 1:5

Paul is speaking to Timothy, a young pastor ,and He wants to remind him of the foundation of Faith that he has in his life.

2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

? Moms did you catch who taught Timothy about the Faith? It was his mom and his grandma.

Timothys faith was first in His grandma and then in his mother and now is Timothys Faith as well.

From a young age, Timothy's mother taught him about God and His love for his people.

She modeled a life of faith and devotion to God, and her son learned from her example what faith in Jesus Christ should look like when it is lived out in your life.

And it was this foundation of faith that Timothy recieved from his mother that would go on to shape his entire life and ministry as an evangelist for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mom’s You have a special opportunity to impart spiritual good into your children’s lives.

They are listing to you, they are watching you, and they are learning from you.

How special is it mom’s, when your children grow up to love Jesus and serve him with their lives?

That should be your goal as a mom, it’s who God has called you to be.

This morning, I want us to consider 8 ways that women can be like Timothy’s mom, Eunice, and instill faith in your children, .

let’s jump right in.....

Moms one of the best things you can do to build up faith in your children is to....

1. Teach them the Scriptures:

Timothy's mom is only mentioned 3 times ion the Bible and final verse that Eunice is mentioned in is 2 Timothy 3:14-17 :Listen to what Paul says about Timothy’s mother.

2 Timothy 3:14–17 (ESV)

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

This idea of raising kids that know the word of God was not knew to Christianity

When God gave the Israelites the law- His word, He told them in

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (ESV)

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Mom’s you instill faith in your children by diligently teaching them the Word of God.

Paul tells us in Ephesians chapter 6 that the word of God is our Sword. It’s weapon God has given us to fight off the attacks of Satan in our lives.

Our children desperately need God’s Word to saturate their lives.

Mom’s the best way to teach our kids to memorize scripture is to be doing it ourselves. Righ?

Spend time with your children memorize Gods Word, because without we will lose the Battle

Th Bible tells us in 1 Peter that Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

last week I was watching a documentary on lions, and there was this Lion that was stalking a herd of Gazelles in the jungle of African He was meticulous on his movements, Quietly getting closer and closer until just the right time of attack came. And it was only when the lion jumped out into the open that we could see the target of his attack.

He didn't go after the biggest and the strongest he went after the kids. The weakest the most unprotected in the herd. and they didn't stand a chance.

Mom’s Your children are the prey of Satan, He wants nothing more than to defeat them spiritual. His desire for your children is that they will have a week spiritual foundation so that when he attacks they will be easy prey.

Put simply your job is to Saturate your children’s minds with the truths of God’s Word, it should flow from your lips as you love and instruct your kids.

By teaching your children the Word of God, they become equipped with the knowledge they need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

and this leads right into our second point.

2. Invite them to the Savior:

Matthew 19:14 (ESV)

14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Mom’s there is no greater task in this world then for you to point your children to Jesus as their savior.

This should be priority number one in your life as a mom.

From the moment they take their first breath of air, your hearts desire should be that your children will know Jesus as their own savior.

2 Tim 3 Tells us that from the time of his youth Timothys mother pointed him to Jesus as the Savior. Mom’s do you make Jesus number one in your life so that your kids see how important he is for their own lives?

#3 moms, when your life is a model of prayer it grows the faith of your children

3. Model a life of prayer:

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Moms By demonstrating a consistent prayer life, you can teach your children the importance of staying connected to God through prayer.

You exemplify your dependency on God for everything in your life. You teach your children that God is not just an after thought or a safety net when things get really bad, but that He is central toe very decision you make in this life.

When You bring your kids into your prayer life, Not only do they see your dependency on God but they also experience the blessings of answered prayer.

Illustration: I’ve shared it before , but when we needed a new vehicle Amy and Linden stopped to pray that God would help us find a new van that looked just like Auntie Jamies van, And when God answered their prayers with a new van that looked just like Auntie Jamies van Linden looked at Amy and Saids God really does hear our prayers.

moms dont waste an opportunity to build your children's prayer life. Include them in your dependency on God and also the Blessings that He brings through your answered prayers. Because this builds their faith.

#4 Moms when you demonstrate Sacrificial love for others in your life it builds up the faith in your children’s lives.

4. Demonstrate sacrificial love:

John 13:34–35 (ESV)

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

As we demonstrate unconditional love for others in our lives our children see Jesus Christ in us. They see our faith come alive.

Mom’s when you show unconditional love to your children, your children experience the depth of God's love for them.

Mom’s when your children see you love those who have hurt you, your children see God’s unconditional love on display.

Mom’s when your children see you love others in the church, your children see an example of God’s love to follow.

And when your children understand God’s love for them, The love your life demonstrates, it builds up their own faith in Christ.

#5 Moms when create a home environment that values faith it points your children to the importance of Jesus in their lives

5. Create a home environment that values faith:

Ladies you have the opportunity to create a home environment that values faith by the way that you prioritize time in prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers.

The Bible never says that this task is easy. for instance where was Timothy's dad in the picture? We dont know, in fact the only thing the Bible says about him was that he was a greek and not a follower of Jesus. Eunice is the one who built her home around her faith. She is the one who created an environment for her children to See Jesus in what she was doing.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

By modeling a life that values faith, mom’s you help your children prioritize their own relationship with God.

The reality is this ladies the more important God is to you in your life, the more important He will be in your children’s lives.

If you kids see you make Jesus a priority in your life, They will do the same in their own lives.

But the opposite is true as well, If you make God something that you only need when it fits into your schedule then your children will learn that same approach to God as you have taught them.

Mom’s dont waste the opportunities you have with your kids to teach them that the church matters. That they need the body of Christ, Teach them that life without Jesus is not a life worth living, But a life lived for jesus is a life that worth never giving up.

The simple truth is this- How you treat God in your home is how you are teaching your children to treat God in their lives. Either you are teaching them that He is the center of your life or your teaching that he is added benefit when its convenient.

#6 How many of you moms love when your kids ask Questions?

My mom tells me all the time that I never stopped asking questions, I always wanted to know what was going on, or how things works.

I remember one time when our family was on vacation and were traveling across the country , I had so many questions-, Im pretty sure I was asking my dad about everything we were seeing and if I hadn't seen something new for a while I thought of something else to ask him. HE eventually turns around in the car and says Jason thats enough questions for today- Stop asking so many questions, just enjoy the ride.

And I remember my mom looking at my dad and saying He just wants to learn from your knowledge.

I am so thankful that my mom loved me enough to not stop me from asking so many question, because that is how kids learn the truths from their parents

Mom’s when you encourage your kids to ask questions you encourage them to dig deeper into their faith.

6. Encourage them to ask questions:

Think about it- the most important thing we can teach our children about God is to dig into his Word, to ask hard questions, and to Find the answers in the pages of Scripture and to make it their own.

And they way that our children make God their own is by is telling them what to believe its by allowing them to ask questions and then leading them to the scripture for the answers.

Mom’s do your kids ask you questions about the Bible?

Do they ask you questions about the church?

Do they ask you questions about Jesus, AboutGod, About Salvation, About heaven and Hell, about Sin and righteousness?

Mom’s be a mom that encourages your children to ask questions- because through those question you become the one who gets to share with them the truths you know and claim as your own. The truths of Scripture.

I can tell you this moms. - your children will ask the question, who do you want to answer them?

If we dont have a home that encourages our children to ask questions then they will look for answers in the world. And they will be bombarded with the lies of Satan. And if we haven't driven them to the scriptures then they will be overcome with those lies and fall prey to Satans attacks.

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

By creating a safe space for children to ask questions and explore their faith, Mom’s you help your children deepen their understanding and grow in their relationship with God.

Don't discourage questions but always be ready to give answer for the spiritual good of your children.

#7 Moms when serve others in the church and in the community let your kids be part of your service.

7. Serve others together:

Galatians 5:13 tells us that Serving others is an important part of living out our faith, and moms, you can involve your children in serving others as well.

Illustration: One of the most important lessons I learned about being a pastor was from my dad when I was an elementary aged kid. He use to ask us kids to go with him when he would visit the older members of the church. None of my siblings went with But I always went with him to visit Evans, a 90 year old man in our church. And what I learned when I was 7 was how to love people in the church. My dad taught me how much joy their is to serve others by letting me be part of his life.

Mom’s how are you serving together with your children?

Dont look at your ministry as a time away from your kids, but more of opportunity to train your children up in the faith.

Use serving opportunities to invest spiritual good into your children's lives. Train them up in the way they should GO. Teach them what it looks like to serve one another in the church.

Finally we come to #8 Mom’s you build up the faith of your children when you

8. Provide opportunities for worship:

moms’s teach your kids the joy of worship in their life.

Christians- God is so good to us, He has given us so much and this should motivate our worship

Mom’s we need to teach our kids what it means to worship Jesus our Savior.

Psalm 100:1–2 (ESV)

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Psalm 98:4–6 (ESV)

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

Worship is not just a solum time to look pious to the Lord - Worship is meant to be a time of Joyful praise.

when we worship we are lifting up the praise of the one who gave us eternal life

We are shouting out the glory of the God who holds all things in his hands.

Moms’ we need tot teach our children that we worship a God who is All Knowing, All Powerful, Holy Righteous above all other names in heaven and on Earth, the creator the sustainer, and our loving redeemer.

Our children should see our lives filled to the brim with worship

Teaching our kids what worship looks like means attending church services together, participating in worship music, following along in Scriptures, Growing in your own walk with Jesus, and engaging in personal times of worship at home with your children.

Mom’s when you spend time with your children praising God for all that He has done you are growing their understanding of who God is and you are leading them into a deeper relationship with Him.

Bring it Home

Mom’s I hope you are encouraged and also Challenged this morning.

I pray that you look at Eunice as an example to follow. She diligently raised her son up in the Lord so that he was ready to serve Christ with His life.

Moms you have the opportunity to be an example to your children just as Eunice was to her Son Timothy.

You have the opportunity to instill gospel faith into your kid’s lives.,

moms be intentional and consistent when it comes to teaching and modeling your faith with your children,

Because when you live out your Christian life in the presence of your kids, you are laying a foundation of faith that will ground them and shape their lives for years to come.

(READ SLIDE list of 8 points)

(”By following Eunice's example and #1-#8 mom’s you can help instill a deep and abiding faith in your children that will guide them throughout their lives.)

Don’t waste the time you have with your children on things that will not last- Use it to impart spiritual good so that they a fully equipped for the ministry of the gospel in their lives.

Mom’s we love you thank you for all you do!

Pray